$ 175 Burger

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Its creators admit it is the ultimate in decadence: a $175 hamburger.
The Wall Street Burger Shoppe just raised its price from $150 to assure its designation as the costliest burger in the city as determined by Pocket Change, an online newsletter about the most expensive things in New York.
"Wall Street has good days and bad days. We wanted to have the everyday burger (for $4) ... and then something special if you really have a good day on Wall Street," said co-owner Heather Tierney.
The burger, created by chef and co-owner Kevin O'Connell, seeks to justify its price with a Kobe beef patty, lots of black truffles, seared foie gras, aged Gruyere cheese, wild mushrooms and flecks of gold leaf on a brioche bun.
The eatery sells 20 or 25 per month in the fine dining room upstairs versus hundreds of $4 burgers each day at the diner counter downstairs, Tierney said.
Pocket Change previously designated the double truffle burger at Daniel Boulud's DB Bistro Moderne as the most expensive at $120, and the Burger Shoppe set out to top that.
Boulud's creation -- available only during black truffle season from December to March -- rose to $150 this past season, so the Burger Shoppe raised its price on Monday to $175.
"Our burger is not about the price," said Georgette Farkas, a Boulud spokeswoman. "If you are making something concerned only about the price, you are off in the wrong direction."
Without truffles, Boulud's burger costs $32. It has a ground sirloin patty stuffed with red wine braised short ribs.
O'Connell said the Burger Shoppe was "finding the ultimate expression of each one of the ingredients."
"The concept was like a mushroom-bacon-Swiss cheese burger, which is my favorite sort of burger," he said.
The burger comes with golden truffle mayonnaise, Belgian-style fries and a mixed greens and tomato salad. O'Connell pairs the dish with many fine wines, a lager or a toasted brown beer, or ginger ale.

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Butternut Squash Soup

1 Butternut Squash3 cloves Garlic2 Shallots 6 link Andouille Sausage (small dice)2 tsp Red Chile Paste1 quart Chicken Stock5.6oz can Coconut Milk1/4 cup Rice2 tbsp Cinnamon3-4 sprigs Fresh Thyme1-2 sprigs Fresh Oregano Sea Salt (to taste)White Pepper (to taste)Peanut OilButterPeel the Butternut Squash and cut the top off. Cut six 1/2" slices off of it and chop those into a 1/2" dice for the garnish. Roughly chop the remainder of the Squash and mix it with a bit of Peanut Oil, and a few sprigs of fresh Thyme and Oregano – roast off in a 375F oven until soft (about 30min).

Step 1:
Mince the Garlic and Shallots. .

Step 2:
Saute the Zest, Garlic, Tien Tsin and Shallot in a bit of Oil until tender.

Step 3:
Deglaze with the Chicken Stock and add the Rice.

Step 4:
simmer.

Step 5:
Let simmer until the Rice is cooked.

Step 6:
Once the Rice is cooked, add the Roasted Squash, complete with the Oil and Herbs, and add the Chili Paste, Coconut Milk, , Cinnamon .

Step 7:
Bring back to a simmer and puree in a blender.

Step 8:
In the meantime roast the Andouille in the oven at 400F to bring out the flavor (about 10 minutes). Heat up a bit of Oil in a pan and add the diced Squash and a few Thyme and Oregano leaves.

Step 9:
Toss in a small knob of butter and cook the Squash a l'etuve, whereas you'll let them steam in their own juices under a foil or parchment lid (just cut a small hole in the middle and fit it over the veggies).

Step 10:
Due to the small size, they should be soft in about 5-6 minutes, and need no further liquid added to them. Once soft and tender, combine with the Andouille.

Step 11:
And form a mound in the center of a bowl. Pour the bisque into the bowl and serve.

Step 12:
Closeup of the Andouille sausage and squash.

step 13: Apple cider foam , Blend & skim of foam from the top ! Ladle 1 tsp. before service on top of garnish !

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